Louis smadbeok and benjamin



(No Model.) L. SMADBEOK & B. NATHAN.

ANKLE SUPPORTING SHOE.

FIZ'ZZHEEEEE UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

LOUIS SMADBECK AND BENJAMIN NATHAN, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

ANKLE=SUPPORTING SHOE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 325,280, dated September 1, 1885.

Application filed June 19, 1885.

To all whom, it may concern:

Be it known that we, LOUIS SMADBEoK and BENJAMIN NATHAN, citizens of the United States, residing at New York, in the county of New York and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Ankle-Supporting Shoes, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to ankle-supports, our object being to provide a shoe which in and of itself is capable of performing that function, and which will conform more or less to the ankle of the wearer; and the invention consists in certain features of construction hereinafter set forth, and particularly pointed out in the claims.

Heretofore mens bootlegs have been pro vided with a substantially-rigid rib in the side seam of the leg, for the purpose of preventing the boot from wrinkling at the ankle and to support the leg vertically, regardless to conforming to the foot and ankle of the wearer; and bathing-shoes have been provided with stays or ribs, one upon each side of the rear seam and extending from the heel upward in curved lines, to avoid the anklejoint; but in neither of these cases has the object we have in view been attained-viz., to supply strengthening-ribs immediately at and about and conforming to the shape ofthe anklejoint.

Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 represents a shoe in side elevation, certain parts being broken away, and Fig. 2 is a section on the line X of Fig. 1.

A represents the upper or leatherof a shoe, upon the inner surface of which are secured two textile linings, B B.

Between the linings B B, and at desired distances apart, are formed, by stitching D, a series of pockets, D, running, in this instance, from top to bottom, but which may be of any desired depth. \Vithin the series of pockets thus formed are inserted a series of pliant whalebone or other flexible supports, E,which fit snugly within the same. Now, in order to prevent the supports E from paining or injuring the wearer,we provide an additional and final covering, F, of soft thin material, preferably kid, which lining may be stitched to the upper A or linings B B at any desired convenient points.

At the top of the shoe is formed the usual (No model.)

binding-flap or facing, G, which also forms a covering for the tops of the supports or ribs, the lining F extending to or above the lower edge thereof, and being stitched thereto.

Now, should it become apparent that the support is too rigid and unyielding for the wearer, as many of the supports as may be deemed necessary may be removed by simply ripping the binding-flap G, lifting the same, and withdrawing one or more ribs, and, in a like manner, stronger ones may be inserted, as occasion may require.

The shoe thus formed will be found highly beneficial to persons with weak ankles, it giving an artificial support to the same, which, while rigid enough to aid in supporting the body of the wearer, is still sufficiently flexible to yield to the motion of the ankle in any direction whatever. It is also well adapted to the use of roller-skaters or other persons where the ankles are liable to sprain by reason of sudden wrenches and twists.

When used for weak ankles, as the wearers ankles become stronger, one or two of the ribs or supports may be removed; or, if whalebone is used, light reed may be inserted in lieu thereof by the before-described operation.

The pockets in the linings may be curved to fit the outline of the ankle and lose noth ing in symmetry, and the whole structure be rendered light and strong according to the material used therein.

Having described our invention and its operation, what we claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. A shoe provided with a series of flexible supporting ribs, E, arranged in both sides of the upper A and over the ankle portions thereof, and having a facing, G, covering the upper ends of said ribs, substantially as specified.

2. The combination of the upper A, linings B B, having pockets D therein for the reception of the flexible supports E, with the interior lining, F, and flap G, substantially as shown and described.

In testimony whereof we aflix our signatures in presence of two witnesses.

LOUIS SMADBEOK. BENJAMIN NATHAN. Witnesses:

E. G. BAcH, L. SAMUELs. 

